Sitaare Zameen Par

"This film wouldn't have worked as well as it does if Aamir hadn't been fully committed to putting himself out there as a hero-who-is-a-jerk. Based on the 2018 Spanish film Campeones, 'Sitaare Zameen Par' adopts the original's determinedly cheery vein to win its matches; in the process, it also wins our hearts."

"It takes both courage and conviction to centre a mainstream film around neurodivergent characters, and Sitaare Zameen Par does just that, with remarkable heart and humanity. This is a film that teaches while it entertains, without ever being preachy. It holds up a mirror to society and nudges us to be kinder, gentler, and more accepting."

"Aamir Khan hits the right note with this one and how! The film teaches us the importance of destigmatizing the attitude towards people with Down Syndrome and manages to keep you hooked with many scenes which will leave you with happy tears."

"With 'Sitaare Zameen Par', Aamir Khan doesn't just return to the screens, he returns you to yourself, one heartfelt laugh at a time."

"If Taare Zameen Par had the soul, Sitaare Zameen Par brings the spirit. It's a heartwarming family film that serves as a wholesome and feel-good slam dunk for inclusion."

"Aamir Khan's uplifting film has its heart in the right place. Aamir Khan effortlessly slips into the character of a temperamental man who is often mocked for his short stature."

"What's there ever to fault a film, that's so straight and simple, about specially-abled folks — starring eight of them, as themselves, for an ensemble cast — in effect, teaching you empathy, first-hand, with so much humour and warmth that you find yourself rooting for these actors, to begin and end with, anyway?"

"By the time the film wraps up, one wishes there was more to this feel-good exercise that never reaches the dramatic heights it is aiming for. Instead of really digging deep and creating an emotionally compelling drama, Sitaare goes for easy sentimentality where the button-pushing is consistent, but the emotional pay-off is far less impactful than expected."

"The film packs in some strong messaging and feel-good moments, but leaves one thinking—a little less education, a little more story please?"

"Khan — one of the most didactic superstars India has ever produced — needs to surround himself with more Satbirs. An ideal Aamir Khan film can be both entertaining and edifying. But when the balance tilts, it's just annoying."

"Aamir's return in this film is an assured one. Apart from taking a tightrope walk on the challenges of persons with intellectual disabilities, Aamir throughout in excellent form leaves the audience in awe. Some amazing performances — subtle here, direct there — embellish the texture and the textual quality of this Aamir film."

"Despite a lengthy runtime of over 2.5 hours, the superstar delivered a wholesome entertainer. After the Laal Singh Chaddha debacle, one might think Aamir has lost the zing, and it could have been the case this time too, but his co-actors, the intellectually disabled, save it from falling flat."

"This movie can bring a lot of changes. It's an eye-opener, I feel, because many people don't understand such children. His film is very beautiful, where you understand that they are very sensitive and pure-hearted."